Stock Watch for Tampa Bay Lightning's Top Prospects

Rob Foldy-USA TODAY SportsKristers Gudlevskis has climbed the ranks of a very deep position for the Lightning.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning have played nine rookies this year, which should leave very few talented prospects left in the system. Fortunately for the Bolts, that isn't the case, as they have another wave of talented players who have seen their stock rise in the last few weeks.

With the World Junior Championships completed and the Olympics coming up, Tampa Bay prospects have been at the center of the hockey world's attention for the last few weeks. With only a few weeks left until the Olympics, Lightning fans should enjoy high-quality hockey even without the NHL on the ice.

The young talent for the Bolts has catapulted them to the top of the Atlantic Division. Keep an eye on this next wave of young talent to climb the ranks to the NHL.

Jonathan Drouin

There is no doubt in any Lightning fan's mind that Jonathan Drouin will be NHL ready next season. He has 52 points in 24 games for Halifax in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He plays in all situations and dominates in just about all situations as well.

He has nine points for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships—second only to Anthony Mantha. Drouin was impressive in all zones during the tournament against the rest of the world's best young talent.

Vladislav Namestnikov

Claus Andersen/Getty ImagesVladislav Namestnikov is dominating his second season in the AHL.

Stock Watch: Up

The Tampa Bay Lightning need another high-scoring forward, don't they? Vladislav Namestnikov is having an impressive season with Syracuse in the AHL. He adds to an already jam-packed group of centers for the Bolts.

In his first year at Syracuse, Namestnikov had 22 points in 44 games with the Crunch. This year, he has already bested his point total (25) in just 22 games. He has improved his defensive positioning as well, dropping his penalty minutes in the process to just two PIMs this season.

Namestnikov joins a group that includes Steven Stamkos, Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson, among others.

Slater Koekkoek

Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesSlater Koekkoek will add some nice depth to the blue line.

Stock Watch: Even

Slater Koekkoek is a solid offensive defenseman who has tremendous upside. His biggest issue doesn't have much to do with production, ability or skill. That issue is his health.

Koekkoek fell on some tough times before his draft year, but was still able to impress the Lightning scouts. He continues to do so with the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League. He is a plus-36 with 35 points in 42 games. Again, he is a defenseman.

Numbers like that will have him back at training camp for the Bolts next season.

Kristers Gudlevskis

Brian Blanco/Getty ImagesKristers Gudlevskis is an Olympian. Who would have thought he would be the Lightning goalie to represent his country?

Stock Watch: Up

If you noticed a trend for the Lightning's top prospects, you know they are almost all meeting and exceeding expectations. Lightning fans remember the last few years of trials and tribulations, wondering when the team would return to the playoffs.

One of the biggest weaknesses during that time was in the crease. Strong trades and drafting have solidified the Bolts' goaltending for years. Bishop is the No. 1 goaltender now. Andrey Vasilevskiy and Kristers Gudlevskis certainly won't be far behind in competing for time in the NHL rotation.